Trust & Betrayal in 1984

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Transcript of Trust & Betrayal in 1984

Trust & Betrayal in 1984Trust in SocietyO'Brien, Mr. Charrington, and Julia Trust in SocietyMr. CharringtonThe Party uses Winston’s lack of trust in the government and trust in society and himself to break him down, leading to his ultimate betrayal.Lack of Trust in the GovernmentThe Ultimate BetrayalThe ultimate betrayal is when Winston betrays himself.

“...Winston’s hatred was not turned against Goldstein at all, but […] against Big Brother, the Party and the Thought Police.” (pg 16)

“…it had been announced that Oceania was not after all at war with Eurasia. Oceania was at war with Eastasia." (pg 187 - 188)

“And only yesterday […] it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grams a week. Was it possible that [the citizens] could swallow that? Yes, they swallowed it.” (pg 61 - 62)"There was only one possible conclusion: the confessions were lies." (pg 81)How the Party Used it Against WinstonThe picture and speech about the war was used against Winston.

Winston: "'It does exist! It exists in memory. I remember it. You remember it.' 'I do not remember it,' said O'Brien."

O'Brien: “'What country is Oceania at war with?' Winston thought. [...] Who was at war with whom he did not know. In fact he had not been aware that there was any war. 'I don't remember.' 'Oceania is at war with Eastasia. Do you remember that now?' 'Yes.'" (pg 270)

Leads to the ultimate betrayal.O'Brien“But there was a fraction of a second when their eyes met, and for as long as it took to happen Winston knew [...] that O'Brien was thinking the same thing as himself. An unmistakable message had passed”. (pg 19)

“He knew, with more certainty than before, that O'Brien was on his side. He was writing the diary for O’Brien…” (pg 84)How the Party Used it Against Winston“It was O'Brien who was directing everything. It was he who set the guards on to Winston and who prevented them from killing him. It was he who decided when Winston should scream with pain, when he should have a respite, when he should be fed, when he should sleep, when the drugs should be pumped into his arm. It was he who asked the questions and suggested the answers. He was the tormentor.” (pg 256)

“Freedom is the freedom to say two plus two makes four.” (pg 84)

Leads to the ultimate betrayal.Though Winston never saysthat he trusts Charrington,renting out a room fromsomeone you hardly know is proof that there is trust present.How the Party Used it Against Winston“It occurred to Winston that for the first time in his life he was looking, with knowledge, at a member of the Thought Police.” (pg 234)

Exposes Winston's love for Julia and his thoughts about the Party.

Leads to the ultimate betrayal.Trust in SocietyJulia“If they could make me stop loving you -- that would be the real betrayal.” (pg 173)How the Party Used it Against Winston“'I betrayed you,' she said baldly. 'I betrayed you,' he said.” (pg 305)

Leads to the ultimate betrayal.Trust in HimselfSecondary Source - Forbes“Trusting yourself is about sharing your knowledge [and] your secrets. It’s about allowing those around you to experience the real you, not the title.” (Llopis)

Knowledge: Shared his views of the Party with Julia and O'Brien as well as what he knew about the Parties lies.

At the beginning of the book, none of this was present. His self-trust developed throughout the book.

“When you trust yourself, risk becomes your best friend.” (Llopis)How the Party Used it Against WinstonEnder's GameTheme of Betrayal present in both Ender's Game and 1984.

Ender learns about the government secrets and realizes that he's been lied to by his friends and the government.

This is similar to what Winston learns: nobody can be trusted as anyone can be working for the Thought Police and betray him easily.

Shows no matter your age, the government can control anyone and betray when needed.Secondary Source - Blooms Literature“When mutual trust, confidence, and love disappear, then the "spirit" has been broken. The only rival left to the power of the state has been betrayed”. (Berman)

No longer has trust in O'Brien or Mr. Charrington.No longer has confidence in himself.No longer loves Julia.SymeWinston and Syme both work for the Party.

During a conversation about the newest version of the Newspeak dictionary, Syme mentions that by 2050, no one would be able to understand English (Oldspeak).

"'Except-' began Winston doubtfully, and he stopped. It had been on the tip of his tongue to say 'Except the proles,' but he checked himself, not feeling fully certain that this remark was not in some way unorthodox." (pg 55 - 56)

Shows that Winston does not trust himself enough (at this point) to show Syme the real him, not his title.

Winston's self-trust was still being developed.The Party allowed his self-trust to develop so that he would start exposing himself.

Once he exposed everything he had to expose, the people he trusted (O'Brien and Mr. Charrington) began betraying him.